Eurasian Scops Owl

Otus scops

Description:

A small slim owl, almost the size of a myna, with ear tufts and feathered legs. Basically a nocturnal bird, hiding in trees or hollows during the day. Eats insects, mice, small birds and other reptiles. Found this one sitting on a thorny tree near the beach during our morning trip for bird watching. At first me and Atul sir went crazy seeing this one with eyes closed and were on a clicking frenzy when Atul sir realised that its wing was caught in the thorn. The eyes were closed but it was moving its head to the clicker and giving good pose. We tried our best to get it out with sticks and Atul Sir's tripod but could not reach it. We took help of a local (Mr. Pramod Raut) who tried throwing stones at the tree but it was not getting free. At one point of time it was swinging upside down and was scared. It was clearly seen from its shivering. At last we took a long stick and tried pulling the branch down and it was freed and fell down. Later Atul sir tried to catch it and see if it was hurt. But it flew which showed that it was Ok and we left it alone. Thanks to Mr. Pramod and Mr. Gaurang Parekh (who held on to our equipment) for their help and special thanks to Project Noah for bringing this awareness in us.